49ers: Game grades vs. Jets

Published 9:30 pm, Sunday, December 11, 2016

Offense

The 49ers were on pace for 40 first downs, 56 points and 772 yards after the first quarter. That was followed by … crickets. Their 17 net passing yards after halftime were their fewest since 2005, according to Pro-Football-Reference.com. RB Carlos Hyde (193 yards) was the bright spot for an injury-ravaged unit that finished without four starters.

Defense

The offensive futility meant the defense was on the field for 81 plays and nearly 42 minutes. As a result, QB Bryce Petty (257 yards) resembled Joe Namath and Bilal Powell (145) looked like Matt Snell (look it up, kids) as the game progressed. The 49ers’ season-high six sacks were highlighted by two from rookie DT DeForest Buckner. Bottom line: They allowed 404 yards to an offense led by two backups.

Special teams

With the 49ers leading 14-0, Phil Dawson missed FG attempts of 48 and 44 yards. He also had an out-of-bounds kickoff that allowed the Jets to start a drive at the 40-yard line. Bradley Pinion had two just-OK 40-yard, fourth-quarter punts before Jets’ scoring drives.

Coaching

A fourth-down OT Hyde run made sense, but calling for him to go right behind backup center Marcus Martin? Chip Kelly agreed that he became too conservative with a two-score, fourth-quarter lead. Kelly didn’t have any counter moves after the Jets’ defense adjusted.

Overall

The Jets were traveling across the country on a short week and there was this: They aren’t very good. If the 49ers couldn’t win this, it’s hard to see how they can avoid becoming the only one-win team in the franchise’s 71-season history.